How to get fruit to last

[Retreatandsurrender]

So, due to a combination of lockdown and relatively low budget, we are receiving a fruit and veg delivery approximately every two weeks. The veg I’m sorted with as I am making a huge pan of broth tomorrow, and the rest should last I think.

But how do I get the fruit to last and not go mouldy? Apples, oranges, pears, bananas, grapes, lemon, lime, grapefruit and avocados. There’s more than what we can eat in the next few days and I can’t afford to just waste it. Mind - this is from a fruit shop not a supermarket so maybe that will help the longevity? There’s two full fruit bowls which look absolutely delicious but will they still be ok next week?!

Any recipe or storage ideas would be greatly appreciated thanks

I think I would eat the bananas first. If they are too many you can freeze them peeled and use them up in banana bread/muffins/smoothies or to make banana ice cream (just mash them down while frozen, you will be amazed).
I would then proceed to eat grapes and avocado if they are ripe.
Everything else should last well.
But except for bananas, put everything in the fridge -our outside as it's very cold right now- and they should be ok to last two weeks.

Thanks @user1471523870 I didn’t think to put them in the fridge! I’ll try freezing the bananas as well, I’m sure banana muffins will go down a treat

All my fridge is in the fruit and lasts quite a while, could always freeze some?

Fruit in fridge 🤣

@doadeer

All my fridge is in the fruit and lasts quite a while, could always freeze some?

😂😂. I was thinking of freezing, but don’t know how to freeze apples other than in a crumble!

I know it's extra outlay, but these are a good investment.

They can be rinsed and reused many times and definitely extend the shelf-life of fruit, veg and salads.

They look good @thistimelastweek, I’ll have a look online tomorrow

@Retreatandsurrender Your apples, citrus and grapes should all go into the fridge. I do this anyway and shop weekly. At one point I was shopping fortnightly- a delivery- and the fruit kept fine in the fridge.

It's actually proven that apples and citrus fruit improves by keeping it cold.

We put our bananas outside in the garage (they go brown in a fridge) where they keep pretty well.

Avocados- tricky one!

Do you have any choice over what's in your order? ie the quantity?

I'd avoid things like avocados unless you plan to eat them as soon as they are ripe.

Frozen grapes are lovely - like little ice pops but healthier

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/dorset-apple-traybake
This is easy and delicious, it keeps well in a tin and also freezable